5 ways to make studying in Germany more affordable

Sponsored by IU International University of Applied Sciences 

If you decide to study abroad in Germany you will get access to some of Europe’s top higher education institutions, with 46 universities featuring in the most recent QS World University Rankings. Studying abroad will expose you to new perspectives, enhance your CV and may even help you learn a new language. 

With sharp increases in the cost of living around the world, you might be wondering if you can afford to study abroad.  

However, studying abroad in Germany might not be as expensive as you might initially think. Here are five easy ways to make studying abroad in Germany as affordable as possible: 

Consider the cost of living in different cities  

Where you decide to study in Germany will have an impact on the overall cost of studying abroad. Consider the cost of living in each German city, factoring in the cost of accommodation, electricity, transport and food. 

For example, if you decide to study and live in Erfurt where IU International University of Applied Sciences’ campus is based, you will be paying more than 50 percent less for rent than you would in Berlin. Consumer prices are also lower, according to Numbeo.  

Tuition fees are also often significantly lower in Germany than in some other European countries. For example, at IU International University of Applied Sciences, the cost of a full time bachelor’s degree is more than four times cheaper than studying at a UK-based university where a full time, three year bachelor’s degree will cost over £10,000 per year.  

Look at the cost of online courses  

Studying online will offer many of the benefits of studying at a German university, without the additional cost of finding somewhere to live while you study abroad. 

Germany’s biggest university state-accredited university IU International University of Applied Sciences, has a range of online bachelor’s, master’s and MBA degrees to choose from.  

These state approved and accredited programmes are 100 percent flexible and IU offers personal support for students taking a digital learning programmes.  

If you decide to study online, you will get full access to: 

• Teaching and study materials 
• IU’s online campus  
• Online tutorials and guidance from tutors 
• Online exams 
• Career coaching 

Discover the full range of online bachelor’s, master’s and MBA degrees at IU. 

Get a part-time job or internship in Germany while you study 

As an international student, you will not need an additional work visa to get a part-time job or internship in Germany, provided you stick to certain requirements and limits. 

If you’re from a country that’s part of the EU or EEA, there are no restrictions on the number of hours you can work while you study in Germany. You will have free access to the German job market and can work up to 20 hours per week before you’ll be required to pay into the German social security system. 

If you’re from a country outside the EU or EEA, you can work up to 120 full days, or 240 half days a year on your student visa before obtaining a work permit. Bear in mind that these restrictions also cover voluntary work placements, so if you do take up an internship – even if it’s unpaid – it still counts towards your working restrictions. However, placements that are mandatory for your degree programme do not count towards this limit. 

Many universities have student job portals, which help students find internships, part-time jobs and graduate professional opportunities.  

IU has partnered with JobTeaser to offer an enhanced job portal that not only helps students find job roles, but also helps them navigate job offers and career opportunities, offering assistance in every step of the application process, such as preparing for interviews and building a professional network. 

Consider if using a different payment option for tuition fees would help you budget more effectively 

In Germany, universities sometimes offer the option to pay for tuition fees monthly, which can make it easier for students to budget. At IU, students get the opportunity to pay for tuition fees monthly, yearly or the total amount, receiving a discount if they pay in advance.  

If you decide to study part-time, you will pay less per month in tuition fees, but more in total as the payments are stretched out over two years. Part-time programmes are ideal for students who want to split their payments over a longer period of time and want to work while they study.  

Explore the scholarship opportunities available to you 

If you’re looking for a way to make studying in Germany more affordable, consider the different funding aid measures available at the university you’re looking to apply to, as well as organisations and the federal government.  

For example, IU applicants can apply for one the many scholarships which are offered to people with inspiring backgrounds.  

Find out more about the scholarships available to study in Germany on IU’s website.